Sink mounting



April-28, 1959 GEEJN SINK MOUNTING Filed Sept. 11, 1957 INVENTOR. 02 /250 ffieaxa BY MW. WW

United States SINK MOUNTING Arthur J. Geen, Elmhurst, lll., assignor to Church of Relrgrous Science, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California Application September 11, 1957, Serial No. 683,343

7 Claims (Cl. 4-187) This invention relates to improvements in mountings for installing a peripheral rimmed member, such as a flat flange type sink or the like, in an opening in a drainboard, cabinet top or similar supporting structure.

In mounting a flanged member, such as a flat rimmed sink in a drainboard or other supporting structure, a T-shaped sealing frame is generally employed which is poistioned in encircling relation around the edge of the sink with the head portion extending over adjacent marginal portions of the top surfaces of the sink and the drainboard and with the stem portion depending between confronting edge portions of the sink and the drainboard. The frame is clamped in seal forming position by a plurality of fastening devices which are spaced around the frame with their upper ends detachably connected to the stem portion of the frame and with oppositely disposed clamp elements adjacent their bottom ends which extend beneath the rim of the sink and the bottom surface of the drainboard and which have means for clamping engagement with the latter. The fastening devices are generally designed for use on a linoleum or plastic covered drainboard having a standard thickness and difliculty is encountered where the drainboard is provided, with some other cover material, as for example, ceramic tile, which increases the overall thickness of the drainboard beyond the thickness for which the fastening devices are designed. The present invention is designed to provide a mounting which eliminates this difliculty, and, therefore, it is a general object of the invention to provide an improved mounting means for rigidly securing a flat flange type sink or similar peripheral rimmed member in an opening in a drainboard, or like supporting structure, which mounting means comprises a molding frame or trim strip and a plurality of cooperating fastening devices having adjustable clamp elements for engaging beneath the rim of the member and the bottom surface of the supporting structure, whereby the mounting means is adapted for use with supporting structures having substantially different thickness.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a mounting for a flat flange type sink or other flanged member which comprises a molding or sealing frame having a top portion which covers the space between the edge of the member and the adjacent edge of the supporting structure by overlapping engagement with the adjoining top surfaces thereof and a web portion which depends between the edge of the member and the wall of the supporting structure defining the member receiving opening therein, together with a plurality of cooperating fastener elements or clamping lugs having interlocking engagement with the web portion of the molding frame adjacent the bottom thereof, which fastener elements are adjustable so as to accommodate a variety of members having flanges of varying thickness and different supporting structures with walls of various depths around the opening in which the member is mounted.

It ,is a further object of the invention to provide a mounting for a flanged sink or similar rimmed member which comprises a sealing frame having top flange forming portions adapted to extend over the space between the edge of the sink and the adjoining surface of the supporting structure and a web portion adapted to depend between the sink and the wall of the supporting structure which defines the sink receiving opening therein, and a plurality of clamping elements having pivotal engagement with the web portion of the sealing frame adjacent the lower edge thereof, which clamping elements each have alaterally extending portion projecting beneath the flange of the sink with an adjustable clamping means therein for clamping engagement with the flange of the sink, and a clamping plate which projects in the opposite direction and which is slidably mounted for vertical adjustment on the clamping means, whereby it may be engaged beneath the edge of the supporting structure to clamp the same thereto.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a sink and drainboard mounting in which a T-shaped sealing member is positioned in overlapping relation with respect to the sink and drainboard and adjustable clamping members are positioned beneath the sink and drainboard to rigidly secure the sealing member in such relation and provide a watertight seal between the sink and the drainboard, the clamping members each being detachably and pivotally connected at the upper end thereof to the sealing member and each having a laterally extending clamp plate which is adapted to be slidably adjusted on a depending stem portion thereof for engagement in clamping relation with the under side of the drainboard, the clamping members each having also a portion fixed on the stem which extends laterally in the opposite direction beneath the rim of the sink and which is provided with an adjusting screw adapted to be engaged with the sink rim to swing the clamping member about the sealing member and bring the clamp plate into clamping engagement with the under side of the drainboard.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mounting means of the type described wherein clamping elements or lugs are provided which have vertical stem portions terminating in a hook formation at the upper end for engagement with a depending portion of a sealing frame member and having a slidable clamping plate thereupon which extends laterally on one side of the stem and which is adapted to be positioned beneath the drainboard, together with a plate-like lateral extension arranged in fixed relation on the other side of the stem which has mounted in the end thereof a clamping screw adapted to be engaged with the bottom surface of the flange of the member which is mounted in the opening in the drainboard structure.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the sink mounting which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan of a sink installed in an opening in a drainboard which embodies the principal features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section, to an enlarged scale, taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, showing the mounting with the sink clamped in its final position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale, of one of the clamping elements; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section, to an enlarged scale, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

In the form of the invention which is ilustrated in the drawings, mounting members or fixtures are provided for securing a flanged sink 10 in position in an aperture or opening 11 which is provided in a drainboard 12. The

illustrated sink ltl is a standard type having an outwardly directed top flange or rim 13 while the drainboard may be a conventional plyboard construction having a ceramic tile 14 or other similar relatively thick cover material on the top thereof. In The drainboard 12 which is shown, the opening 11 is defined by a vertical wall 15 which is of substantial depth due to the thickness of the tile top or of the material in the drainboard, or due to the presence of cleats (not shown) or other reinforcing elements which may be positioned around the periphery of the opening 11. The mounting means of the invention is particularly adapted for use in the installation of a sink or like rimmed member in an opening of this character, having a surrounding wall 15 of greater depth than ordinarily encountered, and the fastening elements are particularly designed to take care of considerable variation in depth of the wall 15 of the thickness of the drainboard material, so that the mounting means may be used in a variety of installations.

The sink mounting means comprises an integral sealing ring or frame 16 and a plurality of cooperating fastener elements or clamping lugs 17. The sealing ring or frame 16, which may be formed from bent plate metal as shown, or which may be a solid section, is substantially T-shaped in cross section as shown in Figure 2 to provide a top portion 18 having laterally extending flange formations 19 and 2t) and a depending stem portion 21. The top flange formations 19 and 20 are adapted to extend over the top marginal surface of the drainboard 12 and the adjoining top marginal surface of the rim 13 of the sink 1% when the sealing frame 16 is positioned with the stem 21 depending between the opposed edges of the drainboard 12 and the sink rim 13, the frame being positioned in encircling relation to the sink 19 with the downwardly extending leg or stem 21 being between the sink rim 13 and the oppositely disposed wall 15 of the drainboard 12, with the under surface of the top flange formations 19 and 20 being in engagement with the top of the sink rim 13 and with the top of the drainboard 12. The depending stem portion 21 is provided along its lower edge with a continuous hook formation 22 which provides an upwardly and inwardly facing shoulder 23 for interlocking engagement with a cooperating portion of the clamping or fastening members or elements 17.

The clamping lugs or fastening elements 17 (Figures 2 to 4) each comprise an elongate strap or plate-like vertical stem portion 24 which is in the form of an inverted J having a rectangular horizontal cross section and terminating at its upper end in a hook formation 25. The fastening element 17 is adapted to be positioned with its hooked end 25 engaged with the hook formation 22 on the downwardly extendin" stem portion or leg 21 of the sealing ring 16 as shown in Figure 2, and with the lower end thereof extending below the bottom surface of the drainboard 12. A flange or plate-like laterally extending member 26 is integrally formed with the stem 24 in spaced relation below the hook formation 25, and on the opposite side or vertical face thereof which is adapted to project beneath the sink rim 13 and which is provided with a threaded aperture 27 receiving therein a clamping means which is in the form of a flathead machine screw 28. The clamping screw 28 is arranged in screw threaded relation in the aperture 27 so that it extends vertically and may be taken up to engage the end thereof with the under surface of the rim 13 of the sink 10.

A clamp plate 30 is adjustably carried on the stem 24 of the fastening element 17. The plate 30 is of generally rectangular form having a width somewhat greater than the width of the stem 24 of the fastening element and being provided with a rectangular aperture 31 of slightly greater dimensions than the corresponding cross sectional dimensions of the stem 24 so that the plate 341 is normally slidable along the length of the stem 24 and is frictionally held against movement when canted to engage the diagonally opposite long edges 32 and 33 of the slot 31 with the opposite faces of the stem 24. The plate 30 is preferably bent at a slight angle at 34 and is positioned to extend beneath the lowermost surface of the drainboard 12 along the opening 11 so that the outer end 35 tends to dig into the surface of the material surrounding the opening 11 when the adiusting screw 28 is taken up so as to apply a force to the element 17 which tends to swing or pivot the stem 24 about the hook formation 22 on the depending web 21 of the sealing frame 16. The lower end of the stem portion 24 may be upset or enlarged after assembly of the plate 30 therewith, as indicated at 36, to prevent the plate 30 from accidentally sliding off the same. The fastener elements 17 may be stamped from a metal plate or cut from an extruded metal section as shown, or formed in any other manner from any other suitable material.

in installing a flanged sink or similar rimmed member in an opening in a drainboard or the like with the mount ing illustrated, the sink lltl is positioned in the drainboard opening 11 and temporarily supported in any suitable manner, such as by adjustable corner supports indicated at 37 in Figure l, with the sealing frame 16 being positioned around the same. A plurality of fastening elements 17 are then arranged in spaced relation on the frame 16 with their hooks 25 in engagement with the hook formation 22 thereon, as illustrated in Figure 2, and with the end of the flange portion 26 extending beneath the sink rim 13. The fastening elements may be slid along the stem 21 of the sealing frame to adjust them to any desired position. The plate 30 is then moved up on the stem 24 of each fastening element to engage the end 35 with the bottom of the drainboard 12 and each clamping screw 28 is taken up until it pivots or swings the fastening element 17 sufficiently to tightly engage the clamping plate 30 with the drainboard and frictionally lock the plate on the stem 24. When all the fastening elements are secured in this manner, the top flange portions 19 and 20 of the sealing frame 16 are brought into tight engagement with the top surfaces of the drainboard 12 and the rim 13, as shown in Figure 2, and the sealing frame is securely clamped in position.

While particular materials and specific details of construction have been referred to in describing the form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that other materials and other details of construction may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Means for securing a flanged member in the opening of a supporting member comprising a sealing frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned in encircling relation around the flanged member with its vertical leg between the edge of the supporting member and the edge of the flanged member and with its top projecting laterally and overlying the adjacent marginal edges of the flanged member and the supporting member, said vertical leg having lug attaching portions and spaced lugs having means providing a separable connection with said lug attaching portions, said lugs each comprising a vertical stem portion of substantial length and having an upper end terminating in means for detachably engaging with said lug attaching portions on the flange member to form said separable connection, a laterally directed flange portion on said stern in spaced relation below said upper end, adjustable clamping means carried on said flange portion for engaging in clamping relation with said flanged member and a clamping plate member having a sliding connection with said stem and having a portion extending in a direction opposite to said flange portion a sufficient distance for engaging beneath the lower surface of said supporting member.

2. A mounting for positioning a generally rectangular peripherally flanged member in an apertured supporting structure comprising a mounting frame having a top portion of sufl'icient width to extend laterally over a marginal portion of the top surface of the flange of the member and the adjacent marginal edge of the supporting structure and having a web portion of substantial length which is adapted to depend between the vertical edges of the member and the supporting structure, which web portion has a shoulder forming portion adjacent the bottom edge thereof, and fastening elements for securing said frame to said supporting structure, said fastening elements each having an upstanding stem portion, said stem portion having an upper end and a hook formation on said upper end for engaging with said shoulder forming portion, and means on said stem portion for rigidly clamping the same relative to said member and said supporting structure, said clamping means comprising a laterally extending fixed member on said stem portion which is adapted to extend beneath the flange on the flanged member, and a clamping plate movably mounted on the stem portion and extending in a direction laterally of the stern portion to position the same beneath the supporting structure when the hook formation is engaged with the shoulder forming portion on the mounting frame, and a clamping device on said fixed member which is adapted to engage beneath the flanged member and which is operable to pivot the fastening element about said shoulder forming portion for engaging said plate member with the bottom surface of the supporting structure.

3. In a mounting for positioning a generally rectangular peripherally flanged member in an apertured supporting structure which comprises a mounting frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned with the top portion thereof extending laterally over adjacent marginal portions of the top surfaces of the flanged member and the supporting structure around the aperture therein and with the stem portion depending between the vertical edges of said flanged member and said supporting structure and having a bottom edge with a hook forming portion thereon; the improvement which comprises a fastening element for securing said frame to the flange of the member and to said supporting structure, said fastening element having a body portion which is in the form of an inverted J with an upper end having a hook forming portion which is adapted to be engaged with the hook forming portion on the bottom edge of the mounting frame, a laterally extendin fixed element on said body portion having an aperture therein and a vertically extending clamping screw in threaded engagement in said aperture which clamping screw is adapted to be engaged with the bottom of the flange on said member to pivot said fastening element about said hook forming portion, and a clampin plate having an aperture in one end in which the body portion of the fastening element is slidably received and having its other end extending laterally of the fastening element to a position for engaging with the bottom surface of said supporting structure when said fastening element is pivoted away from said flange member by taking up on said clamping screw.

4. In a mounting for positioning a generally rectangular peripherally flanged member in an apertured supporting structure which comprises a mounting frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned with the top portion thereof extending laterally over adjoining marginal portions of the top surfaces of the flanged member and the supporting structure around the aperture therein and with the stem portion depending between the vertical edges of said flanged member and said supporting structure and having a bottom edge with a hook forming portion thereon; the improvement which comprises a fastening element for securing said frame to the flange of the member and to said supporting structure, said fastening element comprising a plate-like body portion having an inverted J shape and a rectangular cross section, said body portion having an upper end with a hook forming portion thereon which is adapted to be engaged with the hook forming portion on the bottom edge of the mounting frame, a laterally extending fixed flange element on said body portion having a threaded aperture and a vertically extending clamping screw in threaded engagement in said aperture which is adapted to be engaged with the bottom of the flange on said member to pivot said fastening element about said hook forming portion when it is taken up, and a clampin plate having a rectangular aperture in one end in which the body portion of the fastening element is slidably received and which is slightly wider than the thickness of the body portion, said clamping plate having its other end extending laterally of the fastening element and being adapted to be engaged with the bottom surface of said supporting structure when said fastening element is pivoted away from said flange member by taking up on said clamping screw.

5. In a mounting for positioning a generally rectangular peripherally flanged member in an apertured supporting structure which comprises a sealing frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to he positioned with the top portion extending laterally over adjoining marginal top surfaces of the flanged member and the supporting structure around the aperture therein and with the stem portion depending between the vertical edges of said flanged member and said supporting structure and having a bottom edge with a hook forming portion thereon; the improvement which comprises a fastening element for securing said frame to the flange of the member and to said supporting structure, said fastening element having a plate-like body portion with an inverted J shape and a rectangular cross section, said body portion having its book shaped upper end adapted to be engaged with a hook forming portion on the bottom edge of the sealing frame, a plate-like laterally extending fixed flange element on said body portion having an aperture therein and a vertically extending clamping screw in threaded engagement in said aperture which clamping screw is adapted to be engaged with the bottom of the flange on said member to pivot said fastening element about said hook forming portion, and a bent clamping plate having a rectangular aperture in one end in which the body portion of the fastening element is slidably received, the dimension of said aperture in the direction laterally of said body portion being sufficiently greater than the thickness of said body portion so that when said plate is canted relative to the axis of the body portion it will be frictionally locked thereon, said clamping plate having its other end extending laterally of the fastening element and being adapted to be engaged with the bottom surface of said supporting structure when said fastening element is pivoted away from said flange member by taking up on said clamping screw.

6. A mounting for securing a flanged member in an apertured supporting "structure comprising a mounting frame having a laterally projecting portion of sufiicient Width to extend over the marginal portion of the top surface of the flange of the member and another laterally projecting portion of suflicient width to extend in the opposite direction over the adjacent marginal edge of the supporting structure, said frame having a web portion adapted to depend between the vertical edges of the member and the supporting structure which web portion has fastener engaging means thereon, and spaced fastener devices for securing the frame to the supporting structure, said fastener devices each having a vertical stem portion and means thereon for engaging in pivotal relation with the Web portion of the mounting frame, a laterally directed flange portion on said stem portion which is adapted to be positioned beneath the flange of the member, adjustable means on said flange portion for engaging in clamping relation with the under surface of the flange of the member, a clamping plate having means at its inner end forming a slidable connection with said stem portion and having the other end thereof projecting laterally in a direction opposite to the direction of said flange portion for engaging beneath the under surface of said supporting structure, said clamping plate being adapted to be adjusted to various positions on said stem portion and the means forming the slidable connection at one end thereof being arranged so that said clamping plate will frictionally grip said stern portion when the fastener device is pivoted toward the supporting structure and pressure is applied to the outer end of said clamping plate by adjusting the clamping means on said flange portion.

7. Means for securing a flanged member in an opening in a supporting member comprising a sealing frame which is adapted to be positioned around the flange member and which has a vertical leg portion depending between the edge of the supporting member and the edge of the flange member and laterally extending top portions overlying the adjacent marginal edges of the flange member and the supporting member, said vertical leg having lug attaching portions and spaced lugs having upper ends with means thereon for forming a separable pivotal connection with said lug attaching portions, said lugs each having a vertical stem portion, a laterally directed flange portion on said stem portion which is spaced intermediate the ends thereof and which extends beneath the flange of said member, adjustable means on said flange portion for engaging in clamping relation with the under surface of the flange of said member, and a clamping plate which extends laterally of said stem portion in a direction opposite to said flange portion and which has a free end positioned for engagement beneath the under surface of said supporting member, said clamping plate having means forming a frictionally gripping slidable connection with said stem portion which permits adjustment of said clamping plate on said stem portion to bring the free into engagement with the under surface of said supporting structure whereby said clamping plate is locked in fixed position on said stem upon adjusting said clamping means on said flange portion to pivot the lug toward the supporting structure thereby exerting a downward pressure on the free end of said clamping plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 248,949 Pope Nov. 1, 188 1 2,549,415 Bonnell Apr. 17, 1951 2,704,370 Drain Mar. 22, 1955 25 2,752,609 Phelps July 3, 1956 

